Mole trap and method of operation therefor

ABSTRACT

A mole trap includes a molded housing with first and second portions. One of the portions includes two molded posts. A trigger and release plate are each pivotally mounted on one of the two posts, and are substantially encased within the housing. The trap may include a first shaft connected to a trigger pad, and a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is slideable with respect to the second shaft, which is connected to a plurality of tines. A release is operative to hold a trigger in a set position, and thereby hold the spring loaded second shaft in the set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release in response to an upward force applied to the trigger pad, wherein the release is operable to release the trigger in response to the displacement, wherein the trigger is operable to release the spring loaded outer shaft.

BACKGROUND

This is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/830,032, filed Jul. 2, 2010, and hereby claims the priorities thereofto which it is entitled.

The present disclosure is related to mole traps. Existing mole trapsusually have externally exposed components, including the triggermechanism, that can lead to unwanted tripping of the device byinadvertent contact when the trap is set and installed. The exposedcomponents also increase the danger to children and pets who may wandertoo close to the device. Exposed mechanisms can also create a danger forthe operator when setting the device. Further, mole traps that havespikes or tines above ground level when the trap is set, also create adanger to children and pets. Also, mole traps having various exposedtrigger mechanisms can be difficult to set.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mole trap assembly in accordance withan embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tine assembly portion of the mole trapassembly illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tine assembly portion illustrated inFIG. 2, further including a trigger pad, in accordance with theembodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mole trap housing portion m accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mole trap housing portionillustrated in FIG. 4, with the trigger mechanism installed, inaccordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mole trap housing portionillustrated in FIG. 5, with the tine assembly installed, in accordancewith an embodiment.

FIG. 7 is perspective view showing details of the trigger mechanism in aset position, in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view showing further details of the triggermechanism in a set position as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view showing further details of thetrigger mechanism in a sprung position.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view showing further of the trigger mechanism in asprung position as shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mole trap assembly illustrated inFIG. 1, in a set position and in a sprung position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is not limited to the particular details of theapparatus depicted, and other modifications and applications may becontemplated. Further changes may be made in the device withoutdeparting from the true spirit of the scope of the invention hereininvolved. It is intended, therefore, that the subject matter in thisdisclosure should be interpreted as illustrative, not in a limitingsense.

The present disclosure, in one aspect, describes a mole trap thatincludes a spring loaded tine assembly; a molded housing substantiallyencasing the spring loaded tine assembly; and a trigger mechanism,substantially encased by the molded housing. The mole trap triggermechanism is settable to hold the spring loaded tine assembly in a setposition and operative to release the spring loaded tine assembly inresponse to a trigger force applied to the trigger mechanism. Settingthe trap is very simple and involves only pulling the spring loaded tineassembly upwardly. Other advantages will be apparent to those skilled inthe art.

The mole trap molded housing may include a first molded housing portionand a second molded housing portion which may be, in one aspect,substantially symmetrical to the first molded housing portion. The firstmolded housing portion and the second molded housing portion may beconnected by a plurality of fasteners, that may include threadedfasteners and complementary holes, snap fit connections or the like. Inembodiments where the molded housing portions are substantiallysymmetrical, the molded housing portions may include mating recesses ontheir internal surfaces for encasing the trigger mechanism.

The mole trap herein disclosed may be operated by pulling upwardly onthe tine shaft of a spring loaded tine assembly until a protrusion of arelease plate engages the tine shaft; and slightly lowering the tineshaft of the spring loaded tine assembly until an edge of the bodyengages and rests within a trigger slot. That is, a tine body surfacerests against a bottom portion of a slot within a trigger lever. Aprotrusion of a release plate rests adjacent the upper end of a firstshaft that is attached to the trigger pad. The mole trap is initiallyinstalled in the ground by positioning two ground spikes into the groundon opposite sides of a mole tunnel such that the mole trap straddles themole tunnel, and such that the trigger pad of the mole trap contacts theground surface on top of the mole tunnel.

In one embodiment herein disclosed, a mole trap has a molded housingincluding a first molded housing portion and a second molded housingportion, wherein at least one of said first and second housing portionsincludes at least two molded posts; and a trigger and a release plate,each being pivotally mounted upon one of the at least two molded posts.The trigger and the release plate are substantially encased within themolded housing. The mole trap molded housing portions may also eachinclude fasteners, that may include threaded fasteners and complementaryholes, snap fit posts and snap fit holes or the like, such that thefirst molded housing portion may be connected to the second moldedhousing portion to assemble the molded housing.

The trigger and the release plate may each include a post hole such thatthe trigger is pivotally mounted by sliding the trigger post hole overone of the two molded posts. Similarly, the release plate is pivotallymounted by sliding the release plate post hole over one other of said atleast two molded posts. Among other advantages, no additional hardwareis required to mount the trigger and release plate within the moldedhousing. The release plate has a portion positioned such that a changein the pivotal position of the release plate causes the release plate torelease the trigger such that the trigger also pivots to release aspring loaded tine assembly. The release plate may also include abiasing element connected thereto for selective engagement with thetrigger to bias into an unset position and to help unlatch whentriggered.

In some embodiments, the mole trap internal area of at least one of thefirst molded housing portion and the second molded housing portionincludes recesses for encasing the trigger and the release plate so thatthe trigger mechanism is not exposed. Recesses may also be provided toreceive a spring loaded shaft of the spring loaded tine assembly.

The mole trap molded housing also provides an archway and/or cupconfigured to allow a spring loaded shaft to be placed in a set positionwhen a compression spring is placed in a compressed position and suchthat the spring loaded shaft is operable to move longitudinally withinthe archway as the trap is sprung.

The first molded housing portion and the second molded housing portionmay be substantially symmetrical or substantially identical in someembodiments.

A mole trap in accordance with one embodiment may include a first shaftand a spring loaded second shaft. The first shaft is connected to atrigger pad and is slideable with respect to the spring loaded secondshaft. The spring loaded second shaft is connected to a plurality oftines. The mole trap also includes a release and a trigger, wherein therelease is operative to hold the trigger in a set position. The triggeris in turn operative to hold the spring loaded second shaft and theplurality of tines in the set position. The first shaft is operable todisplace the release in response to upward force applied to the triggerpad, and the release is in turn operable to release the trigger inresponse to the displacement. The trigger is operable to release thespring loaded second shaft which drives the plurality of tines into themole burrow. The mole trap embodiment may include a molded housingsubstantially encasing the release and the trigger. Only a test tab,which is actually a portion of the release plate, may protrude through aslot of the molded housing when the trap is in a sprung or set position.The user pushes the test tab downwardly when testing the trap in the setposition.

The mole trap molded housing may include first and second molded postsinternal to the molded housing, where the release is pivotably mountedon the first molded post, and where the trigger is pivotably mounted onthe second molded post. The molded housing may consist of a first moldedhousing portion and a second molded housing portion connected togetherby a plurality of fasteners, including threaded fasteners andcomplementary holes, snap fit connections or the like.

In some embodiments, the first molded housing portion and the secondmolded housing portion may be substantially symmetrical. Further in someembodiments, the first molded housing portion and the second moldedhousing portion may be identical.

In some mole trap embodiments, the release includes a protrusion that isoperative to engage an upper end of the first shaft when the trap is inthe set position. The first shaft is operable to displace the release bysliding upwardly with respect to the second shaft to displace theprotrusion by pushing it upwardly in response to pressure upon thetrigger pad. The release may also include a recess for engaging, andholding in place, the trigger when the mole trap is in the set position.The release is thereby operable to pivot in response to displacement ofthe first shaft, and thereby displace the slot to release the trigger.

The trigger includes a trigger slot for holding the spring loaded secondshaft in the set position. The trigger also has a portion fitted toengage the recess of the release, so that it may be held in place by therecess of the release when the trap is in the set position. The triggeris pivotable in response to displacement of the release, and the triggerpivoting action releases the spring loaded second shaft, whendisplacement of the release disengages the trigger from the slot of therelease or when the test tab is actuated.

The embodiments disclosed also provide a method of operating a moletrap, which includes pulling upwardly on a spring loaded shaft and tineassembly; and lowering the spring loaded shaft and tine assembly until aportion thereof engages in a slot of a trigger and is held in a setposition thereby.

It is to be understood that terms used herein such as “first,” “second,”“left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” etc., are relational terms useful fordescribing the position or location of various components relative toothers and that this language is used herein for such descriptivepurposes only and is not to be in any way considered as imposinglimitations on the various embodiments herein described. Further theterms “operable to” and/or “operative to” as used herein, particularlyas used within the claims appended hereto, indicate that the variouscomponents of the mole trap herein described may be positioned, or, inother words, set, in a “trap set” or sprung to be in a “trap sprung” for“tripped”) position. That is, the various components are each “operativeto” or “operable to” be set or sprung and/or, to operate so as tointeract with various other components as described in detail herein.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numerals represent likecomponents, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a mole trap assembly 100 inaccordance with an embodiment. The mole trap assembly 100 may include ahousing which comprises a first trap housing portion 101 and a secondtrap housing portion 102. Preferably each of the two trap housingportions includes a plurality of fasteners, including, but not limitedto, threaded fasteners, snap fit connections, such as snap fit posts andsnap fit holes for receiving the snap fit posts from the opposite traphousing portion, and the like. For example, first trap housing portion101 may include a plurality of threaded fasteners 103 and holes 104configured to receive the threaded fasteners 103. The holes 104 may bethreaded or unthreaded depending on the type of threaded fastenerspecified. Alternatively, various snap fit embodiments may be employedand such embodiments may use, for example, square or rectangular snapfit apertures and corresponding two-section snap fit posts. Othersnap-fit embodiments may employ cylindrical snap-fit posts and circularsnap fit apertures, etc. Other embodiments may employ screw and nutassemblies for attaching the two trap housing portions. The housing maybe fabricated from, for example, any suitable molded plastic material orsimilar material of construction.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are perspective views of a tine assembly 200 which isinstalled in the overall mole trap assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1. Thetine assembly 200 includes a tine shaft 201 which may be connected, suchas by welding, bonding, adhesive, or mechanical fasteners, etc., to atine body 205. The tine shaft 201, in the various embodiments, may haveany suitable cross-section such as, but not limited to, a cross likecross-section, a circular cross section, a square cross section, arectangular cross section, a c-channel or u-channel cross section, etc.In one embodiment, the tine shaft 201 may include a first shaft 250 anda spring loaded second shaft 252 that are disposed for relative slidablemovement along generally collinear longitudinal axis. Preferably, in oneembodiment, the first shaft 250 may be configured to have a series ofposts 400 or a crenelated lower end 402 such that projecting portionsengage apertures 404 defined in the trigger pad 209 in order tofacilitate connection of the first shaft 250 to the trigger pad 209 inany suitable manner such as welding, bonding, mechanical connection,brazing or the like. Additionally, second shaft 252 may be configured tohave an “L” shape wherein the commonly understood vertical portion ofthe “L” is disposed such that the “foot” of the “L” extends away fromthe first shaft 250, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, such that the secondshaft 252 may have a second foot 256. One of skill in the art willrecognize that the “L” shape may be formed from an integral element or aplurality of elements connected in any suitable manner, such as bywelding, brazing, adhesives, mechanical fasteners or the like.Preferably, the second shaft 252 by way of the second foot 256 isconnected in any suitable manner to an upper surface of the tine bodysurface 207, such as, welding, bonding, mechanical connection, brazingor the like. A compression spring 203 is slid over the tine shaft 201during assembly, prior to installation of the pull handle 204 and/or thetine body 205 such that the compression spring may be slid onto the tineshaft 201. The pull handle 204 may be any suitable handle type, forexample, a wire formed handle or a handle of the type illustrated inFIG. 2 and FIG. 3, or the like, and may be permanently or removablyconnected to the second shaft 252. The tine body 205 includes aplurality of tines 208 and also has a tine body surface 207 which maycome into contact with or be disposed adjacent to but not in contactwith a trigger pad 209 when the trap is sprung. Turning to FIG. 3, thetine assembly 200 is shown further having a trigger pad 209 connected tofirst shaft 250. The trigger pad 209 upper surface may contact a loweror bottom surface of the tine body surface 207 when the trap is in asprung or tripped position, but in another embodiment may only bedisposed adjacent to but not in contact with the trigger pad 209. Thetrigger pad 209 is further connected to the first shaft 250 that isvisible in FIG. 3. The first shaft 250 is operable to slide with respectto the second shaft 252. In one embodiment, the tine body surface 207may include a tab 406 disposed adjacent an aperture 408 defined in thetine body surface 207 through which the first shaft 250 may extend.Preferably, the tab 406 is formed from the tine body surface 207 and maybe formed by a punch process or other suitable method. One of skill inthe art will recognize that the tab 406 prevents the spring from rubbingon the first shaft 250. The first shaft 250 may have any suitablecross-section in the various embodiments provided that it easily slideswith respect to the second shaft 252. The uppermost end of the firstshaft 250 is configured for purposes of activating the trigger mechanismas will be described further herein. The trigger pad 209 may be attachedto the inner shaft 250 either by welding, binding, adhesives ormechanical fasteners in the various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing details of an embodiment of thesecond trap housing portion 102. In most embodiments, the first traphousing portion 101 and the second trap housing portion 102 aresymmetrical and identical and may form two symmetrical housing halves insome embodiments. Therefore, FIG. 4 may be generally considered asshowing either the first trap housing portion 101 or the second traphousing portion 102. Therefore, in FIG. 4, the second trap housingportion 102 is shown disconnected from the first trap housing portion101. Those skilled in the art will appreciate the manufacturingadvantage of embodiments having two symmetrical or identical housingportions because only one mold need be utilized.

For the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the second trap housingportion 102 is symmetrical to the first trap housing portion 101. Thesecond trap housing portion 102 includes a plurality of holes 104 formedin bosses formed on the housing or in the housing itself. The holes 104are for receiving and engaging fasteners as described herein. The secondtrap housing portion 102 also includes alignment or pivot posts 105 andcorresponding complementary post holes 106. These posts may be used tomount components of the trigger mechanism as will be described furtherherein. The posts may be molded posts that are integrally molded andpart of the molded housing portions. However, the posts may also bedowel pins in some embodiments and may be made of some other material,such as, but not limited to, stainless steel, that are connected to thehousing in any suitable manner, such as press-fit or other suitablemechanical connection.

The second trap housing portion 102 also includes recesses that may besymmetrical or identical to, and match up with, recesses within thefirst trap housing portion 101. That is, the recesses are matched upwhen the first trap housing portion 101 and second trap housing portion102 are fit together. For example, the first trap housing portion 101may further include a trigger recess 109. It may also include anopposite side trigger recess 110. As will be described further, thetrigger mechanism 300 may be installed on either the second trap housingportion 102 or on the first trap housing portion 101 since both portionsare symmetrical or identical as described herein. For the presentexample, the trigger mechanism 300 is shown installed on the second traphousing portion 102. The trigger recess 109 and side trigger recess 110are formed on the first trap housing portion and substantially encasethe trigger mechanism. The second trap housing portion 102 furtherincludes a tine shaft recess 111. The second trap housing portion 102also includes an archway 115 wherein the tine assembly 200 may movebetween a set and sprung position. It is to be understood however thatsome embodiments may not have symmetrical and identical housingportions. For example, some embodiments may provide all recesses, suchas the trigger recess 109, in only one portion, while the other portionof the housing seals the recesses when the two portions are joined andassembled.

FIG. 5 provides another perspective view of the second trap housingportion 102 having further components of the trigger mechanism 300installed. Also shown in FIG. 5 is a first ground spike 122. The triggermechanism 300 includes the trigger 116, which may be formed as a bar orlever as shown, and which may be installed over a post 105 (i.e. whenthe first trap housing portion 101 is connected to the second traphousing portion), which post may be used to also connect the two housingportions together, such as, for example, snap fit posts in someembodiments. Other embodiments may provide a separate post 105 as shown,that is not a snap fit post, for mounting the trigger 116 and also arelease plate 119. The post 105 thus serves to provide a trigger pivot117, and another post 105 provides a pivot for the release plate 119.The trigger 116 includes the trigger tab 118 which is above a triggerslot 129 which is used to hold the tine body 205 in position on a lowersurface of the slot 129 when the mole trap is set. Also forming part ofthe trigger mechanism 300, is the release plate 119, which may also bemounted on a snap fit post, or on a dedicated release plate mountingpost 105, as shown. The release plate 119 includes a release plate uppertab 120, which is a protrusion that will engage the upper end of thefirst shaft 250 when the trap is set. The release plate 119 also has alower tab 121, and a release plate recess 126 (best viewed in FIG. 8)which is sized to fit the upper end of the trigger 116. The releaseplate 119 may rotate or pivot about its mounting post 105. When in thesprung position, the release plate 119 may partially extend through arelease plate slot 124 which is a cut out section of one, or both, ofthe first and second trap housing portions 101 and 102. Those ofordinary skill will appreciate the advantages of the trigger mechanismin that the components may be easily fabricated and installed in thehousing without tools since they are simply installed over molded postswithin the housing.

In one embodiment, another post 302 is connected to the first traphousing portion 101. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, post 302 is configuredto engage a slot 304 formed in the first shaft 250 when connected to thefirst trap housing portion 101 (which is not shown here, but asexplained above is substantially symmetrical to the second trap housingportion 102, except that the post 302 need only be formed on one of thehousings or as a separate piece if substantially symmetrical housingportions are desired, and for the purposes of this discussion will beassumed to be disposed as shown in FIG. 1). One of skill in the art willrecognize that the cooperation of the post 302 and slot 304 control therange of permitted movement of the first shaft 250 with respect to thesecond shaft 252. Such range of permitted movement is sufficient toprovide the desired functionality as described further herein.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the second trap housing portion 102having the tine assembly 200 installed. In FIG. 6, the tine assembly 200is shown in a sprung position. The trigger pad 209 bottom surface isrelatively flush with the bottom surface of each trap foot 128 of thetwo trap feet 128. The trigger 116 and release plate 119 are alsoillustrated in a released or sprung position. As can be seen in FIG. 6,the release plate lower tab 121 serves to catch the tripped trigger 116and prevents it from engaging the tine assembly 200. Additionally, abiasing element 410 biases the trigger 116 toward the lower tab 121 inthis position to prevent the trigger 116 from being accidentally set,such as when the trap might be inverted as a result of gravity. As aresult, the trigger 116 is normally biased into an unset or sprungposition. The biasing element 410 may be any suitable apparatus, device,element or structure to provide the necessary functionality. Forexample, the biasing element 410 may be a leaf spring (as shown), a coilspring, a resilient member or the like. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 show furtherdetails useful for understanding the operation of the trigger mechanism300.

In FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the tine assembly 200 is placed in a set positionand held in place by the trigger 116 trigger slot 129. The release plateupper tab 120 rests upon the top surface of the first shaft 250, and arelease plate recess 126 locks and holds in place the upper end of thetrigger lever 116. The force of the biasing element 410 has beenovercome and may now no longer engaging the trigger 116. The tine bodysurface 207 rests against the bottom surface of the trigger slot 129which supports the tine assembly 200 against the force of the compressedcompression spring 203. The trigger pad 209 and first shaft 250 may movefreely upwardly when upward pressure is applied, for example, by themole pushing up on the upper surface of its burrow and therebycontacting, and applying an upward force upon the trigger pad 209. Theupward force against trigger pad 209 moves the first shaft 250 upwarduntil it moves and displaces the release plate upper tab 120. Thisupward pressure, which results in the first shaft 250 displacing therelease plate upper tab 120, causes clockwise rotation of the releaseplate 119 which in turn causes the release plate recess 126 to rotateand release the upper end of the trigger lever 116. The trigger lever116 thereafter pivots around the trigger pivot 117 causing the triggerslot 129 to tilt, thereby releasing the tine body from engagement withthe trigger slot 129. The tine body 205 is therefore forced downward,into the mole tunnel, by the compression spring 203 expansion force.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view showing further details of thetrigger mechanism in a sprung position where the trigger lever 116 hastilted and released the tine body 205 from the trigger slot 129. Indoing so, the biasing element 410 engaged trigger 116 and facilitatedthe unsetting or springing of the trigger mechanism. As shown in FIG. 9,the tine body surface 207 may come into contact with the upper surfaceof the trigger pad 209 or may be disposed adjacent thereto when the trapis sprung.

FIG. 10 is a cutaway view showing further details of the triggermechanism in a sprung position as shown in FIG. 9. As can be seen, therelease plate lower tab 121 serves to catch the end of the trigger 116and prevents the trigger 116 from coming into contact with the movingtine assembly 200 during operation of the trap.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the mole trap assembly 100 in a setposition 1201 and a sprung position 1202. The mole trap assembly 100 isplaced in a set position by pulling upwardly on the pull handle 204 andlocking the tine assembly 200 in place as was discussed above. That is,the trap is set when the tine body 205 is engaged in the trigger slot129 and held in place. The trigger lever 116 is held at its upper end bythe release plate recess 126 of the release plate 119. The mole trapassembly 100 is placed in the sprung position when the mole pushesupwardly on the trigger pad 209 causing the release plate 119 to bedisplaced and to rotate clockwise thereby releasing the trigger lever116, and ultimately releasing the tine assembly 200. The compressionspring 203 then forces the tine body 205 into the mole tunnel. As wouldbe understood, the ground spike 122 and ground spike 123 are placedacross the mole's tunnel and the bottom surfaces of the mole trap feet128 are pushed downwardly until they contact the ground. The trigger pad209 must also make contact with the upper surface of the mole tunnel. Insome cases, the location of the mole tunnel where the mole trap assembly100 is to be installed may be slightly compressed down by pushing uponthe top surface of the mole tunnel with the operator's fingers prior toinstallation of the mole trap assembly 100. The trap is then installedover the tunnel such that the trigger pad 209 is in contact with theground surface forming the top of the tunnel, and the trap feet 128 alsomake contact with the ground to stabilize the trap. The operator mayalso pre-form the holes for the tines 208 by moving the tine assembly200 up and down several times, and thus pushing the tines 208 into theground to pre-form tine holes, prior to setting the mole trap. The moletrap may then be set by the user pulling on pull handle 204 upwardly andengaging tine body 205 with the trigger slot 129, and engaging therelease plate 119 release plate upper tab 120 onto the first shaft 250by using the test tab 127. The release plate notch 126 engages and holdsthe upper end of the trigger lever 116 and locks it in place. The useronly needs to place a finger or thumb upon the test tab 127 to push itdownwardly, within the release plate slot 124. Pushing the test tab 127downwardly causes the release plate upper tab 120 to be positioned toengage the upper end of the first shaft 250 when the tine shaft 201 ispulled upwardly. Therefore, setting the mole trap is a simple operation.

The mole trap embodiments described above provide various advantages formanufacturing that would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill.For example, the components of the trigger mechanism 300 may be easilyfabricated by die-cutting etc. Mounting of the trigger and release plateis fast and easy because these components are simply fit over a plasticmounting post, or a dowel pin, of the housing which requires no tools.Additionally, for embodiments employing snap fit connections, no toolsare required to assemble the mole trap housing. As discussed above,setting the trap is also simple and involves only the pushing of thetest tab 127 and pulling the pull handle 204 upward. Because the triggermechanism is enclosed in the housing, the user's fingers are in nodanger of becoming entangled or pinched by the mechanism or byinadvertent tripping of the trap. Therefore, the mole trap of thevarious embodiments provides a safety advantage over previous designs.

Therefore a mole trap and method of operation have been disclosedherein. Other variations that would be equivalent to the hereindisclosed embodiments may occur to those of ordinary skill in the artand would remain in accordance with the scope of embodiments as definedherein by the following claims.

1. A method of operating a mole trap, comprising: pulling upwardly on aspring loaded shaft and tine assembly; pushing a test tab whichprotrudes through a slot of a molded housing of the mole trap; andlowering the spring loaded shaft and tine assembly until a portionthereof engages in a slot of a trigger and is held in a set positionthereby.
 2. The method as se forth in claim 1, wherein the spring loadedshaft and tine assembly includes a first shaft and a second shaft, saidstep of pulling upwardly moving the second shaft upwardly with respectto the first shaft, a lower end of said second shaft having a tine bodywith a plurality of tines that are pulled upwardly with said secondshaft.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 2, wherein said step ofmoving the second shaft upwardly compresses a spring that spring loadsthe second shaft of the shaft and tine assembly.
 4. The method as setforth in claim 2, wherein an edge of the tine body is received withinthe trigger slot when the trap is in the set position.
 5. The method asset forth in claim 2, wherein the step of pushing the test tab rotates arelease component having an upper tab and a recess located within thehousing, the upper tab engaging an upper end of the first shaft and anupper end of said trigger being held within said release componentrecess when the trap is in the set position.
 6. The method as set forthin claim 3, wherein the step of pushing the test tab rotates a releasecomponent that is operative to hold said trigger when the trap is in theset position, said trigger being operative to hold said spring loadedsecond shaft and said plurality of tines in said set position.
 7. Themethod as set forth in claim 6, wherein a lower end of said first shafthas a trigger pad, said first shaft being operable to displace saidrelease component in response to upward force applied to said triggerpad, displacement of said release component releasing said trigger, andsaid trigger when released being operable to release said spring loadedsecond shaft, said plurality of tines and said tine body moving rapidlydownward when the spring loaded second shaft is released.
 8. The methodas set forth in claim 7, wherein said release component is operable topivot in response to the upward movement of said first shaft, saidpivoting movement releasing an upper end of said trigger to release saidspring loaded second shaft.
 9. A method of operating a mole trapcomprising the steps of: providing a trap having a housing with at leastone slot, a trigger with an upper end and a lower end with a triggerslot therein, a release component having a release slot and an upper taband a test tab, a first shaft and a second shaft arranged parallel andadjacent one another, said first shaft connected to a trigger pad, saidsecond shaft being spring loaded by a spring and moveable with respectto said first shaft, said spring loaded second shaft operably connectedto a tine body having a plurality of tines; pushing the test tabdownwardly in the housing slot to pivot the release component clockwiseand position the upper tab for engagement with an upper end of saidfirst shaft; pulling upwardly on said second shaft and engaging the tinebody with the trigger slot to hold the trap in a set position; saidupper tab engaging the upper end of said first shaft and the upper endof the trigger being held within the release slot of the releasecomponent when the trap is in the set position.
 10. The method as setforth in claim 9, wherein said release component is operative to holdsaid trigger in a set position, said trigger is operative to hold saidspring loaded second shaft and said plurality of tines in said setposition, said first shaft being operable to displace said releasecomponent in response to upward force applied to said first shaft, saidrelease component being operable to release said trigger in response tosaid displacement, release of said trigger releasing said spring loadedsecond shaft.
 11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein saidrelease component is operable to pivot in response to displacement ofsaid first shaft, said pivoting movement displacing said release slot torelease said trigger and said spring loaded second shaft.
 12. The methodas set forth in claim 9, wherein said first shaft displaces said releasecomponent by sliding upwardly with respect to said second shaft todisplace said release component upper tab.
 13. A method of operating amole trap that has a housing containing a trigger and a releasecomponent, a first shaft and a second shaft generally parallel to andmoveable with respect to said first shaft, a spring for spring loadingthe second shaft, a tine body and a plurality of tines affixed to alower end of said second shaft, a trigger pad affixed to a lower end ofsaid first shaft, the method comprising the steps of: placing the moletrap over a mole tunnel and pressing downwardly until the trigger padcontacts a ground surface forming a top of the mole tunnel; pullingupwardly on the second shaft to compress said spring and spring loadsaid second shaft; pushing a test tab which protrudes through a slot ofthe mole trap housing; and lowering the spring loaded second shaft untila portion of the tine body engages in a slot formed in the triggerwithin the housing and is held in a set position thereby.
 14. The methodas set for in claim 13, wherein the step of pushing the test tab rotatesthe release component to engage said release component with an upper endof the first shaft, an upper end of said trigger being held within arecess formed in said release component to hold said spring loadedsecond shaft and said plurality of tines in said set position.
 15. Themethod as se forth in claim 14, wherein said first shaft is operable todisplace said release component in response to upward force applied tosaid trigger pad, displacement of said release component releasing saidtrigger, and said trigger when released being operable to release saidspring loaded second shaft, said second shaft, tine body and pluralityof tines moving rapidly downward to drive the plurality of tines intothe ground when the spring loaded second shaft is released.
 16. Themethod as set forth in claim 13, wherein said release component isoperative to hold said trigger in a set position, said trigger isoperative to hold said spring loaded second shaft and said plurality oftines in said set position, said first shaft is operable to displacesaid release component in response to upward force applied to saidtrigger pad, and displacement of said release component releasing saidtrigger to release said spring loaded second shaft.
 17. The method asset forth in claim 13, wherein said release component is operable topivot in response to displacement of said first shaft, said pivotingmovement displacing said release slot to release said trigger and saidspring loaded second shaft.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 13,wherein said first shaft displaces said release component by slidingupwardly with respect to said second shaft to displace said releasecomponent.